Welcome to my parenting and leadership blog, where I share practical ideas for reducing conflict, staying calm, and communicating clearly at home and work. These short reads support busy parents, leaders, and anyone wanting to build stronger relationships.

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Lonely Leader

The stress of stress

The most profound piece of information I have learnt about stress, is that it is a normal response to a tricky situation and if treated...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 21, 20222 min read

Would you like to know why I was proud that my daughter bought a potato?

If so, read on... On all hallows eve I video called my eldest, for our weekly catchup. The first thing she showed me was a potato she had...

Ruth Taylor

Nov 14, 20211 min read

Time to Spring into action

In the Southern Hemisphere we have just welcomed Spring. A time for new life to appear, and the days to warm up. When my youngest was a...

Ruth Taylor

Sep 6, 20215 min read

Games of words

Next time your kids are bored, then whip out these word games. No resources needed, no costly bits of plastic or hours of set up. We used...

Ruth Taylor

Jul 12, 20216 min read

Leading to change

My experience of parenting has strongly influenced my leadership and management style, and vice versa. Family life was a great place to...

Ruth Taylor

May 31, 20216 min read

There is a skill to sanctioning

For behaviour type three, a challenge to your authority, you may need to put in place a sanctions or consequence. These do not have to be...

Ruth Taylor

May 7, 202110 min read

The Ultimate sanction!

When you are creating your ultimate sanction, think about ease of use when out, or at friends. Close-time can be hard work, it is not...

Ruth Taylor

May 7, 20216 min read

Are you hoping for good times?

As those of us in New Zealand enjoy the school holidays, you may have started to notice your kid’s behaviour that little bit more. You...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 20, 20213 min read

School based stresses!

After dealing with Covid lockdowns and the usual holidays, having the kids head back to school provides a small light at the end of a...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 16, 20215 min read

Managing relationship challenges with a little mediation

It is hard to understand the true impact of bullying unless you have been subjected to it yourself. If you feel bullied it can create...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 16, 20217 min read

Who's ready for school?

There is often a sigh of relief as the end of the holidays draw near as parents gear up for the transition of their children back to...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 16, 20214 min read

Want a fun plan?

Depending on the age of your kids holidays can mean a stressful time is approaching. Kindergartens work similar hours and do not close...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 15, 20215 min read

Look back to go forward

I have written a number of articles recently looking at the idea of what makes a good memory and how to set up family traditions. Now we...

Ruth Taylor

Apr 9, 20214 min read

Traditions can truly help

I have strong memories of the usual special events you get throughout the year, well in the Christian calendar anyway. I am sure those of...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 30, 20216 min read

Keeping the memory alive

Do you have a computer full of images and memories? Do you have memory sticks which you don't remember the content of? Once a memory has...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 25, 20214 min read

Master memory making

Your child may think that the best way to make memories is by doing expensive activities; as this is what they see others do on...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 23, 20214 min read

Be part of the IN crowd

One thing I can pretty much guarantee all children will bring to a family, are situations which you will all remember, for many years to...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 18, 20215 min read

Learn to connect and benefit

One of the many things our children are looking for in this world is connection. They want to feel part of something. They want to be...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 16, 20215 min read

Balance your way

The word balance conjures up the image of scales, of an effortless pose held by a ballet dancer or gymnast, whereas balance does not have...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 11, 20215 min read

The guilt of balance

We are being bombarded on a daily basis with too many guidelines, rules, ideas and thoughts on how to balance our lives. If we feel we...

Ruth Taylor

Mar 9, 20215 min read